Concepts-At-Play

In-School Programming

TheatreWorks has been working with schools in the Bay Area for over 30 years and offers an array of programs that are custom made for middle and high school students, aligning with core curriculum and California State Standards.

Elementary School (Grades K-5)

Concepts-at-Play Pilot Program
Concepts at Play (CAP) is a unique series of artist-in-residency programs that weave together the vocabulary of theatre, storytelling, literature, and scientific concepts. TheatreWorks Teaching Artists (TAs) work with your students to use their imaginations to understand concepts that meet California State Content Standards in an interactive learning environment.

This series works within the structure of a typical school classroom. TheatreWorks TAs spend one hour each day for two weeks leading students through theatre games and exercises that help them connect physically and verbally to language and instructional concepts. The curriculum helps increase students’ reading comprehension, vocabulary, and oral presentation skills, while building self-confidence. By creating a safe, learning environment, our teachers use a multi-sensory approach to boost students’ artistic and academic growth. In addition to daily activities that reinforce learning objectives through self- expression, students perform in an open workshop which showcases their learning for peers, parents, and friends.

Strengthen standards-based lessons! Effectively address multiple intelligences! These action-packed, 10-day residencies physically explore complex concepts and engage students’ creativity as well as collaborative skills. Assessment has also shown vocabulary retention increases from 35% to 85%.

Combining theatre with language arts is powerful. Our Teaching Artists maximize the effectiveness of imaginative play, bringing the classroom alive. Increase your writing workshop and love of language.

Make learning difficult science vocabulary and concepts fun! Tailor any FOSS science unit. Theatre integration animates plate tectonics or cumulonimbus clouds or the diagram of a snail—the possibilities are endless.

Set students up for life-long success in Math. Bring the fundamentals of sequencing and patterning lessons alive through movement, acting, and singing.

This innovative arts integration program inspires imagination, expands vocabulary, and strengthens linguistically diverse students’ courage to speak and write in English.

As a result of their learning, students gain:
  • Increased confidence in reading comprehension
  • Increased oral presentation skills
  • Tools for creative expression and personal growth
  • Connections between the written and spoken word Theatre Arts education provides a necessary balance in the curriculum and helps fill a void in elementary school arts education. Concepts at Play engages students and gives them transferable skills for academic performance.

Interested in participating?

Contact Jake Arky, Director of Education at jarky@theatreworks.org for more details on pricing booking, and all other details.

Support Arts EDUCATION

You can make a difference!

Want to help TheatreWorks inspire future artists, build bridges in our community, and bring arts-based learning into Bay Area schools?

In-School Programming

TheatreWorks has been working with schools in the Bay Area for over 30 years and offers an array of programs that are custom made for middle and high school students, aligning with core curriculum and California State Standards.

Student Matinees

Participating classes will also have the opportunity for more engagement with a pre-show workshop led by a TheatreWorks Teaching Artist and participant from the show, as well as an in-depth study guide with activities, information, and background on the show.

In-School Programming

TheatreWorks has been working with schools in the Bay Area for over 30 years and offers an array of programs that are custom made for middle and high school students, aligning with core curriculum and California State Standards.

HIGH SCHOOL

Grades 9-12

The Young Storytellers Lab

The Young Storytellers Lab is a unique workshop that blends the art of writing and performance together for middle and high school students. TheatreWorks Teaching Artists who have experience performing autobiographical work on stage are placed at Bay Area schools for six classes to help students craft their own narratives for an audience.

The Young Storytellers Lab

The Young Playwrights Project places accomplished playwrights–who are also gifted teachers and strong role models–“in residence” at Bay Area high schools where they lead advanced drama students through a month of writing workshops and exercises on dramatic form and expression.

Community Program

Our work isn't limited to the stage—check out how we're continuing conversations, making connections, and bringing art into our community.

Elder Playwright’s Project

Have a story to tell? Tell it on stage! Join us for this playwriting class, created in partnership with TheatreWorks Silicon Valley and inspired by the Young Playwright’s Project they teach in high schools all across the Bay Area. This “young at heart” playwright’s project is structured in a similar fashion as the high school program, but tailored to older adults in the community. All levels of experience are welcome to participate.

Children’s Healing Project

Teaching Artists work with patients at Lucile Packard Children’s Hospital, the Comprehensive Eating Disorders Unit, and families staying at the Ronald McDonald House while receiving care.